After losing Marcus Camby, the Knick brass know new starting center Kurt Thomas needs support, as does the point guard position. The eyecatcher would be either pulling off a sign-and-trade for Clippers free-agent center Michael Olowokandi or snaring Miller but both are longshots. Last week, the Knicks offered a Camby package for Olowokandi with an exchange of picks 7 and 12 but the Clippers backed off.

Their most-sought-after asset, Latrell Sprewell, could be as good as gone. Sprewell could be dealt to Milwaukee in a package for Robinson and center Johnson – a deal the Knicks turned down recently but now makes a whole lot more sense with McDyess aboard. They’d get bigger at small forward and give Thomas a helping hand.

The more likely scenario is the Knicks reeling in a free-agent center with the $4.7 million mid-level exception. The best candidate being the shotblocking 6-11 Raptor Sixth Man Keon Clark. Minnesota starting center Radoslav Nesterovic, a big body, is another possibility.

Miller, whom Layden tried to acquire on Draft Night, along with Nick Van Exel, will be pursued. A Cavs source said the Knicks still have nothing Cleveland wants, though the Cavs had talks with Denver about McDyess. There’s been rumblings Dallas offered Van Exel for Thomas and Charlie Ward.

“We need more additions,” Chaney said. “But it’s a good start. We’re still very small, especially at center. Hopefully, we’re able to get a bigger guy. If Kurt Thomas goes down at 5, we’re in a stressful situation.”

Meanwhile, Clark’s agent, Jim Mourer, said all things being equal, Keon would choose a warm-climate club – Florida or Texas. The Knicks may have to offer Clark the maximum length for the exception – a six-year, $35 million pact to have a chance.

The Raptors can match any offer but are within $1 million of the luxury-tax threshold. Mourer said the McDyess deal enhances Clark’s interest in New York. They were friends when both played in Denver.

McDyess, too, was concerned about playing in New York when he initially refused to waive his opt-out clause that would make him a free agent after this season. Denver GM Kiki Vandeweghe, an ex-Knick, sold McDyess on playing in the Garden. McDyess reworked his contract, with faxes flying into 2 Penn Plaza five minutes before the Knicks picked.

The Nuggets did not trade McDyess because of injury concerns. His durability has been greatly exaggerated by panicky Knick fans who mistrust Layden. Last season was an aberration for McDyess, who tore the patellar tendon in his left knee and needed surgery. Doctors decided to scope his right knee for a routine cleaning in the process.

The smooth low-post scorer played 10 games last season but missed only a combined 28 the prior six years. Alonzo Mourning had the same surgery early in his career.

The Nuggets felt McDyess was bolting after the season. Nuggets assistant GM David Fredman said, “A healthy McDyess is a top talent and it’s tough to give him up even if you are going in another direction.”